Gatti Blog

Prescription drug deaths from opioid pain medications are on the rise in Pennsylvania and in Indiana County. Patients who are on opioid pain medications may be at risk of accidental overdose, even if they take their medications exactly as prescribed. The pharmacists at Gatti Pharmacy want to ensure that all of our patients have safety precautions in place while taking pain medications.

Here is what you need to know about opioids:

Pharmacists in Pennsylvania now have the ability to dispense the life-saving opioid overdose antidote, naloxone, to both patients and loved ones.

Naloxone acts to completely reverse an accidental overdose from an opioid pain medication.

Naloxone is not just for those who misuse opioids. Even if you have been on the same pain medication dose for many years, there can b changes in the body due to illness, aging, or drug interactions that can cause opioid levels in the body to rise, putting you at risk for unintentional overdose.

You can compare naloxone to a fire extinguisher - we certainly hoep that you never need to use it, but you should have it in your home in case you need it!

Caregivers, family members, and even strangers are protected by good Samaritan laws so they can administer naloxone to someone who overdoses without the risk of legal liability.

If you have concerns about your pain medications, do not hesitate to ask one of our pharmacists any questions. We are here as a resource for you!

You do not need a prescription from your doctor in order to get naloxone. Just ask one of our pharmacists! We want to ensure your safety and would be happy to speak with you further about it.

Author

Joni is a pharmacist practice development fellow here at Gatti Pharmacy as one of her practice sites through Pitt Pharmacy. To learn more about Joni, read about her on our About page.